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CASLErCOvUNO 
January 6, 1978 
Gilbert S. Oraenn, Ph.D., M.D. 
Assistant Director for Human Resources 
and Social and Economic Services 
Office of Science and Technology 
Policy 
Washington, D. C. 20500 
Dear Gil: 
As you requested, I have reviewed the background 
of Section 361 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 
264) , its interpretation and application by the Food and 
Drug Administratior and the Public Health Service over the 
past several years, and its interpretation by the courts. 
Enclosed is a copy of each of the documents to which 
reference is made in this letter, to facilitate your own 
evaluation. 
I 
The original Federal communicable disease law was 
passed by Congress in 1893 (27 Stat. 449) . As you will see. 
Section 3 authorized the Supervising Surgeon-General of 
the Marine Hospital Service, Department of the Treasury, to 
issue regulations to prevent the introduction of contagious 
and infectious diseases into one state from another. Un- 
fortunately, I have not had the opportunity to research 
and review the legislative history of this Act, and there- 
fore cannot provide information on the specific congressional 
[Appendix A — 257] 
